longshot Space

Longshot Space was co-founded by CEO Mike Grace and CTO Nathan Saichek. Grace, after serving in the Army, studied economics and worked in astrobiology at NASA Ames. Saichek previously served as a Senior Manufacturing Engineer at the rocket company Astra. Together, they are developing a ground-based alternative to traditional rockets.

The company is focused on creating a kinetic launch system, essentially a large, gas-powered cannon referred to as a multi-injection hypervelocity accelerator. This system is designed to propel projectiles containing payloads to orbital velocities at a significantly lower cost than conventional rocket launches. The accelerator is intended to launch a projectile into orbit in under a minute.

Longshot Space aims to address the high costs associated with space access. By developing this launch technology, the company plans to offer more affordable and frequent launch services for satellites, research equipment, and other payloads. The business model centers on providing these low-cost launch services to commercial and governmental entities, thereby fostering growth in the orbital economy. The company anticipates its first orbital launch could occur between 2028 and 2029.

Keywords: kinetic launch, space cannon, hypersonic accelerator, payload delivery, orbital economy, cost reduction, space access, Mike Grace, Nathan Saichek, satellite launch